September 2024

We kicked off September with another wonderful, if rather wet, Great North Run.

I, like many others, was saddened by the news of Sam Weallean's death and our hearts go out to all his family and friends. It was so heartening to see people coming together to finish the run in tribute to him. 

Ahead of the run we held our second Fit for the Finish event, with hundreds of schoolchildren taking part. It's something I'm keen to keep growing and get more and more schools involved.

Jarrow's Steve Cram joined me at the seafront to launch Tidal Trails, a brand-new running event concept, which will make its global debut in the North East next summer. Tidal Trails will take over the beach and famous Leas in South Shields, with running events for all ages and abilities.

I caught up with local business owner Shaz from Fryday's to see the new artwork in South Shields Town Centre near his premises opposite the Interchange. It brightens the area up and highlights our fantastic attractions in South Tyneside. From Roman history to exploring our villages and enjoying our fantastic summer festival - there's a little something for everyone.

I was delighted to attend to see HRH Duke of Edinburgh officially open the Hebburn Tri Staton. This one-of-a-kind emergency services hub is the first in the country, bringing together Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police, and the North East Ambulance Service under one roof. We also really welcomed the news that the station had been awarded 'Collaboration of the Year' at the Government Property Awards. My congratulations to partners across the borough.

Our Viking Energy Network Jarrow also celebrated award success at the Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Awards, winning in the Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative category. VENJ is up for another award in October at the national Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards after taking the title of Public Sector Project at the regional round. The benefits of VENJ are threefold: reducing greenhouse gas emissions; creating a reliable, good-value source of heat and improving energy security by diversifying from fossil fuels into the renewable energy sector. We are incredibly proud to be leading the way with this pioneering work to deliver clean energy in the borough.

If you haven't seen it already, our very own Sheila Graber has put together a fantastic short animation. Check it out on YouTube and you may recognise Ray Spencer's voice too. Thanks to both of them for bringing the story of the Viking Energy Network Jarrow to life.

APSE is a really important organisation driving forward public sector excellence, you might recall they supported us through our Waste Peer Review last year which went onto form the action plan to reshape services. We have been united in our efforts to improve waste services and get the collections back to normal and we want to thank all our residents for their patience while we have worked through the process.

I was also very proud to be nominated as APSE English Chair for the year ahead and also APSE National Chair Elect for 2025/26. It is a privilege to represent South Tyneside nationally in this way. Having already served as Northern Chair, I am looking forward to building on that experience and knowledge to strengthen our local government networks to ensure we can deliver the best possible services to our residents.

Regionally, I've been heavily involved in the work of the Combined Authority in my role as lead for the education, inclusion and skills agenda. We've been working through how the devolved budget will allow skills and training on offer to be matched to the jobs that are actually available now and will be in future. The devolution deal is about people and improving lives. I believe that good education and skills - taught at any stage in life - is what will drive our region forward.

The newly established regional Child Poverty Reduction Unit will support the wider Education, Inclusion and Skills portfolio, from our work to reduce education inequality in schools, to adult skills provision and routes to employability. 

I was delighted to welcome our first tenants to Hindmarch Drive in Boldon where we've built a mix of two-bedroomed council houses, apartments and bungalows which are all A rated for energy consumption. We're proactive about delivering good quality modern council homes, in line with our ambition of creating strong communities where people live in safe, sustainable neighbourhoods.

Lastly, I just wanted to highlight that we recently started a consultation on our Home to School Transport offer which will run until Friday 15 November. It builds on a range of changes to home to school transport by working successfully with schools and families to provide shared transport arrangements, increase travel training and promoting independence. The consultation relates predominantly to those over 16 years of age attending sixth form or college and reshaping them to promote independence within our young people. Please take a moment to have your say have your say.

Councillor Tracey Dixon
Leader of South Tyneside Council